Ghostflower Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 I got my first Animal Crossing game when I was about 10 years old (City Folk for the Wii), and I remember going to Shampoodle to get my hair done. One of the questions you get asked (to determine what hairstyle you will be given) is whether or not you have a "squish." At the time, I had no idea what this meant, and I was embarrassed by the way that Harriet (the hairdresser) brought it up, as though it were a gossip-worthy secret. I suspected that it was a euphemism of some sort, and when I found out that it meant having a crush on someone, I was even more flustered. Something about the word just felt gross to me, probably because it made me think of squishy goop and other unpleasant textures. Now that I know a bit more about how "squish" is used in aromantic circles today, I wonder if my experience with Animal Crossing over a decade ago has affected my current feelings. I can't decide if having a "squish" accurately describes the way that I feel for some of my friends, and I'd almost feel more comfortable calling what I experience a "platonic crush," although I realize that this is the working definition of "squish." What are other people's experiences with the term "squish"? Does anyone dislike it or use a different term, and if so, why? I know that adopting new terminology can require a transition period to get used to it, and I wonder if I'm averse to the term "squish" for logical reasons (i.e. it doesn't actually describe my experiences) or arbitrary ones (i.e. the word itself just squicks me out a bit). I would love to hear how this term does or does not resonate with the other folks here! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jot-Aro Kujo Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 (edited) I have no problems with the term. It’s not something I really experience (nor do I experience “platonic crushes” or any other way you want to describe it), so I don’t use it for myself, but I don’t dislike it. I would imagine its presence in Animal Crossing is a coincidence. Edited August 15, 2023 by Jot-Aro Kujo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alto Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 I experienced it a lot when I was young, over time squishes have become squashes/plushes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collie Posted August 15, 2023 Share Posted August 15, 2023 I often called the special feelings I had for a few select people a "platonic crush" before I heard of squish being a thing when I joined AVEN in 2015. I don't really get them much anymore I don't think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EternallyTBD Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 I’ve used the term squish in the past, now sometimes I use platonic crush, and I totally understand what you mean about preferring one over the other! I will use each of them in different situations sometimes based on what best describes how I feel, even though they are technically the same thing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neon Posted August 23, 2023 Share Posted August 23, 2023 I think its a cool term though, take that with a grain of salt though as I don't label my platonic attraction, so I don't use it personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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